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By Anjeanette Damon (contact) 
Sunday, Feb. 26, 2012 | 2 a.m.
Sun Archives
The exchange of money between lobbyist and lawmaker can be a particularly loathsome chore.
Many politicians balk at the constant need to raise funds.
And although some lobbyists might revel in grandiose displays of political patronage, others grimace at what can seem like never-ending demands for campaign funds.
Those grimaces tightened even further last week, when a cadre of Assembly Democrats filed amended campaign finance disclosures detailing how they had spent thousands of dollars in campaign funds.
The seven lawmakers originally sought to keep those expenditures secret, following the advice of their lawyer, who said they didn’t have to report expenses that were not directly related to campaign efforts.
Secretary of State Ross Miller disagreed, saying a failure to disclose any expenditure from a campaign fund is likely a violation of the state’s campaign finance laws.
After the Sun reported the secret expenses, the Democrats then reversed course and filed new expense reports, detailing nearly $45,000 in campaign fund spending on a slew of living expenses during the legislative session in Carson City. These included rent, electronics, house cleaning and supplies, groceries, lunches and dinners at Carson City restaurants and even bottled water.
The lawmakers also paid for airfare and hotels to professional conferences in Hawaii, Texas and Florida.
The legislators tapped their campaign funds for these expenses despite the fact the state pays them a per diem for each day of the legislative session — whether they are physically in Carson City or not — to cover many of the same expenses.
Those who tried to keep their expenses hidden were: Assembly Democrats David Bobzien, of Reno; Debbie Smith and Skip Daly, both of Sparks; and Lucy Flores, Marcus Conklin, Peggy Pierce and Marilyn Dondero-Loop, all of Las Vegas.
The reports offer a window on how lawmakers’ campaign funds are increasingly used for far more than just getting elected. Indeed, fundraising seems to no longer be simply a means to mount a credible campaign but a secondary income stream to support the politician while in office.
Miller has held that campaign funds can legally be spent on any expenses such as rent in Carson City and other costs associated with being a lawmaker. But those expenses must be reported, he said.
While legal, the newly reported expenses exacted some bitterness from donors who contribute to help lawmakers get elected.
“I don’t know how anyone could read her (campaign contribution and expense) report and feel comfortable contributing to her,” one lobbyist said after reviewing one lawmaker’s new reports. “They just always squeeze for money and this is what they spend it on? Groceries in Carson City?”
The Assembly Democrats’ lack of disclosure is the latest in a string of questionable campaign fund uses.
In 2010, former Assemblywoman Kathy McClain, D-Las Vegas, was sanctioned for using her campaign funds to contribute to her personal retirement account. And last year, former Assemblyman Morse Arberry, D-Las Vegas, was fined for depositing $120,000 in campaign contributions into his personal bank account.
As for the Democrats’ failure to disclose, Miller said he is still reviewing the case to determine if they violated any campaign laws.
The lawmakers filed the amended reports before he could take action.
Smith and Bobzien characterized it as an honest disagreement over interpretation of an ambiguously worded law and said they would work with the secretary of state to resolve it.
Flores complained the disclosure requirements had grown too onerous and said they would be easier to comply with if she had “a staffer that the state paid for to record every single one of my receipts.”
Congrats to the LV Sun for exposing the 7 Dumbocrats whose questionable ethics are probably just the tip of the iceberg. However, as a Conservative, I'm not crowing over this disclosure, since I have no doubt this type of behavior crosses party lines. My contention is and has been for some time that paid lobbyists should be barred or at least made a non-deductible expense for taxation purposes. Whittmore is certainly not the only oily lobbyist to have trod the floors of the Capitol buildings and not the last, either. "Power corrupts; absolute power corrupts absolutely."
Ms. Flores,
Instead of asking the taxpayers to hire someone to keep track of your spending why not use some of that campaign money and hire your own staffer?
I still trying to figure out how she could make that statement with a straight face.
If the Las Vegas Sun is so biased in favor of Democrats, why is the Sun "burning" these Democrats?
It s a trap! Has to be...
Anjeanette... how can you write such a story and not include info on the salaries these elected officials are paid? I'm not suggesting the paltry sum justifies what any legislator may or may not have done with regards to reporting or expenditure, but I think the info is part and parcel to discussions about our part-time citizen legislature.
this is why mandatory public financing of campaigns is essential. if everyone gets the same amount of money to run/be a legislator then there is no need for the 24/7 fundraising cycle. not to mention the fact that some non-rich people might actually have a chance at holding office.
also, i didn't see it mentioned but are nevada state legislators given per diem in proportion to their actual travel expenses? someone from las vegas is obviously going to have to spend more to travel and live during sessions than someone from reno.
oh, and, fink: dumbocrats? seriously? are you five? your comment is well stated and thoughtful but the name calling discredits you from the get go.
Just imagine how much money hapless Harry Reed has played around with.
KUDOS to Secretary of State Ross Miller, a Democrat, for holding these Democrats accountable!
I'm beyond disappointed and heart-broken by some of the names listed - and I won't be giving another single penny to any of these state-legislative incumbents as candidates because of this shameful misbehavior!
Without publicly naming names - all of you can expect to be given an equal opportunity to explain to me, face-to-face, and eyeball-to-eyeball why you even had the thought of trying to get away with this?
Keeping in mind, you all know how many of us deal directly with any attempts to b.s. any Central Committee member!
There's only one thing that really bothers me more than a shady, scamming, schemeing, lying, cheating, thieving corrupt Republican - yep, you guessed it any Democrat falling short of the basic standard of common-sense conduct in honesty, transparency and being publicly accountable and responsible!
Perhaps those of us that elected these people should pitch in to buy them some handy envelopes to keep their receipts tidy for the next reporting cycle, and, of course, pre-mark them "Receipts That MUST Be Reported"? (*SARCASM*)